Mahar

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT MAHAR - PAGE 5

Christmas came early in New Lenox on Tuesday, with two state legislators announcing $500,000 worth of Illinois FIRST grants for the village's open space initiatives. A $200,000 grant has been earmarked to expand existing village bicycle paths and develop new ones, state Rep. Renee Kosel (R-New Lenox) said. A $300,000 grant will enhance the New Lenox Commons by financing landscaping work and construction of a performing arts pavilion in the proposed town center, state Sen. William Mahar (R-Orland Park)

A state grant will open the stage for a musical performance teaming Lincoln-Way High School students with professional musicians. A $39,000 grant secured by state Sen. William Mahar, (R-Orland Park), will finance a spring performance by the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra at Lincoln-Way's East Campus in Frankfort, the Lincoln-Way School Board announced last week. Mahar said the grant offers a unique opportunity. "There is nothing like this in my district," he said. "I wanted the citizens to enjoy the services of the Illinois Philharmonic, and I wanted the students to be able to have the experience of working with this fine orchestra."

Two Democratic state legislative candidates from the southwest and south suburbs have joined the chorus of politicians calling for quick action by the Illinois General Assembly to reduce school violence. Joined by Illinois House candidate Scott Pyles of New Lenox, Democratic state Senate hopeful Pam Woodward of Frankfort outlined a "Safe Illinois Schools" plan Monday. The plan includes many of the same prevention, training, parental and penalty initiatives outlined in anti-violence strategies being weighed by lawmakers of both parties.

By Douglas Holt and John Chase, Tribune staff reporters | March 10, 2002

A clash between two south suburban Republican state senators, Christine Radogno and William Mahar, illustrates how new political boundaries provide Democrats with the best chance in a decade to seize control of the Illinois Senate. Mahar of Orland Park used to live in secure Republican territory. But under the map redrawn by Democrats to reflect the 2000 census, Mahar's home now sits in a multiethnic district that voted for Al Gore for president in 2000. Rather than fight for that ground in the March 19 primary, Mahar is seeking Radogno's seat in the safely Republican 41st District next door.

By John Chase and Douglas Holt, Tribune staff reporters | March 10, 2002

Dan Cronin and Tom Walsh are in the political fight of their lives. The two incumbent Republican state senators from neighboring suburbs are usually allies, but this year they are running against each other--and pulling no punches as the March 19 primary approaches. But in those brief campaign moments when they are given an opportunity to reflect, both shake their heads, looking like two army generals foisted into a battle neither wants to wage. It's at these times they talk about what they view as the real enemy in this campaign: the Democrats who pitted them against each other in the first place.

At their core, the races for two Illinois Senate seats in the southwest suburbs can be seen as exuberance taking on experience. Sen. Patrick O'Malley (R-Palos Park) and Sen. William Mahar (R-Orland Park) are established incumbents trying to assure voters that their policies are on the right track. They face two energetic Democrats and an earnest Reform Party candidate who say that, despite their lack of statewide governing experience, they can bring real change on the year's key issues.

An intergovernmental group formed by five area towns will get $150,000 in state funds to develop cooperative planning in the rapidly growing southwest suburbs, according to a legislative aide to state Sen. William Mahar (R-Orland Park). The Illinois Department of Transportation grant approved last week will enable the I-80 Regional Planning Council-composed of New Lenox, Mokena, Tinley Park, Orland Park and Country Club Hills-to coordinate growth and development in the area bordering Interstate Highway 80. Mahar, who proposed forming the council and worked to secure the state seed money, is "absolutely thrilled," legislative aide Peg Boivin said Friday.

Democrat Pam Woodward, an investment specialist and political neophyte, formally kicked off her campaign Thursday for the 19th District state Senate seat held by Republican William Mahar. Woodward, 49, said she will focus her campaign on education, business development, tax reform, and family and women's issues. She cited the need for campaign-finance reform and pledged that if elected she would not accept gifts, including meals and trips, from lobbyists. "After nearly 13 years with our incumbent, our property taxes are among the highest in the Chicago area, and that causes us to lose businesses, and it hurts our schools," she said.

A south suburban shelter for battered women will have a new home on state property in Tinley Park if the village approves the plan, a state senator and shelter supporters have announced. The Crisis Center for South Suburbia has been offered a 2-acre parcel on a large block of state land that also is the site of the Tinley Park Mental Health Center and the W.A. Howe Developmental Center, State Sen. William Mahar (R., Homewood) said Friday. That land, now vacant, would be rented to the nonprofit group for $1 a year and would serve as permanent home to the group's planned new $750,000 shelter, Mahar said.

A dozen school districts along the Interstate Highway 80 corridor are petitioning the I-80 Corridor Commission to include Dr. Lawrence A. Wyllie, superintendent of the Lincolnway High School District, as a voting member. The commission currently is made up of the mayors of five towns along the corridor: Country Club Hills, Tinley Park, Orland Park, Mokena and New Lenox. Representatives from Cook and Will Counties also are being asked to join as voting members to represent unincorporated areas.